From the pages of
Sublette Examiner
Volume 4, Number 18 - July 29, 2004
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Sublette County rodeoers come out on top

by Casey Dean

Sublette County made an incredible showing at the National High School Finals Rodeo last week, coming out on top of saddle bronc, bareback and girls cutting events, not to mention the overall standings.

Saturday morning found outgoing Pinedale freshman Andi James winning the 11th performance of the second go-around in girls cutting, and outgoing Big Piney senior Thomas Baker doing the same in bareback.The second go average leaders after performance 11 had both Baker and James tied for sixth in thier respective events.

After 12 performances, Baker, James and recent Pinedale High School graduate Clayton Selby were holding enough points to stay in the top 20 competitors and qualify for the final short go in bareback, girls cutting and saddle bronc, respectively, on Sunday. Going into the short go, Baker was sitting in third, James fifth and Selby seventh.

The three proceded to either gain on the competition or maintain excellent standings. Baker scored a 74 on his short go bareback ride, tying for fourth, and finishing first overall. The NHSFR bareback champion's total score was 214, topping second place Clayton Foltyn of Texas and Zac Compton of Oregon's 213s. He made an incredible comeback from last year's attendance at the NHSFR, when he placed 25th in the bareback competition.

James made an excellent fourth-place ride in the last girls cutting performance, taking fifth place honors as a freshman competing against the top cutters in this nation, Australia and five Canadian provinces.

Selby's grand finale for his high school rodeo career secured a first place in the saddle bronc riding. He won the short round by four points with a 69, and took the gold overall as well, with an total score of 198. Selby was last year's NHSFR saddle bronc runner-up, and like Baker came back determined and experienced.

All three local competitors had winning seasons, taking top honors in most high school rodeos, and placing very well at teh Wyoming High School Rodeo Finals. Both Sublette County cowboys won their roughstock events, and were awarded a $500 scholarship from Wyoming High School Rodeo Association. Baker also won the Governor's Award of Excellence, was the male all-around runner up and tied for Cowboy Prom King at the WHSFR. James made an incredible showing at the state finals her first year, coming in second in the girls cutting competition.

Wyoming was well represented in the rough stock events; three titles were taken by Wyoming cowboys. Kanin Asay, of Powell, tied for first in bull riding, while Baker and Selby topped the bronc riding events. The Wyoming teams finished well; the Wyoming team took third with 5715 points, behind Texas, 8195 and Utah, 6547. Wyoming boys came in seventh; Texas cowboys won overall. Wyoming cowgirls made a great showing as well, racking up 2730 points, following only Texas, 3775 and Utah, 3500.

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